NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (AP) — Officials on Block Island are moving ahead with a plan to kill deer to address concerns about crop damage and the spread of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme due to overpopulation of the animal.

The Providence Journal reports (http://bit.ly/Ja0oay ) The New Shoreham Town Council voted 3 to 0 Wednesday to approve the plan to hire experts to shoot deer on the island, a first for Rhode Island. State officials helped develop the plan.

Officials cited concerns about damage to landscaping, crops and plant ecology and the spread of diseases.

The goal for this winter is to reduce the herd by 200 animals and over the next four years to reduce the herd from an estimated 800 to 1,000 deer down to 100 to 150 on the 9.5-square-mile island.